There are a lot of adults rooting for children to succeed at being good citizens of society. We want them to be smart, kind, and improve the world. One of the best ways to do that is to expand their understanding of themselves and those around them.

Books can help.

There seems to be a lot of children’s books that do this so well. (See this list.) But the depth seems to drop off a bit as we move into the Middle Grade category. At this age and up, readers want adventure and often writers think about plot more than they think about theme.

Today we’re going to talk about books in the middle grade and young adult genres that have those great moral messages and themes. They’re modern fables that hopefully can impact our children in ways that our nagging and pushing and hoping they’ll gain can’t. Let’s dive in.

I remember when this book came out and the impact it seemed to have on the reading community. Goodreads was abuzz. Media outlets were raving. I was skeptical. You guys, it destroyed my heart.

This book will redefine kindness in your child. They will understand the hurt their words can cause, and see that someone who is different can still be a wonderful person.

2. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

This classic story was made into a movie and given a Newbery Honor award for a reason. It’s a softhearted novel of friendship, love, life, and death. Any young reader will have an appreciation for those around them and making the most of their time here on earth.

3. Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery

This sweet story by the author of Anne of Green Gables offers a great view of family and adventure while teaching kiddos about being courageous and compassionate. The blog Life In the Nerddom puts Jane of Lantern Hill in their top 30 Wholesome Books list.

4. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

If you’re looking for a book on empathy, this is the one you need. Ivan the gorilla, and the reader, learn a valuable lesson on friendship and how they can change the world. If you’re able, read this one together.

This book will soon be a Disney movie, and my household is super excited.

5. Rowdy Days of Dom Sanders by E.G. Moore

This indie novel is all about realizing that everyone can be a bully if they aren’t kind, and that you should always tell the truth, even when its hard. Dom witnesses a murder that his bully is blamed for and has to decide whether to tell the court what he saw. Check it out on Amazon.

6. You Go First by Entrada Kelly

When two kids play online scrabble, they don’t expect to connect in quite a strong way. Within a week’s time, they both deal with family issues, trouble at school, unique gifts. Friendship and the concept that we are not alone in life bring this sweet novel to a close.

6. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Perhaps one of the most important things in this world that modern readers need is understanding of loss and imperfection. Pressure can be high to succeed and conform. Freak the Mighty offers a beautiful picture of friendship wrapped up in these two themes. A must read for upper middle graders or high school students.

7. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

If you haven’t read this book, you need to grab a copy asap. There is a Netflix movie that’s not as good (of course), but it still gives you some of the feels. “Dumplin'” is a nickname an obese but beautiful girl named Willowdean gets from her mom. The mom is a former beauty queen that always bags her daughter on her weight unintentionally. Willowdean has to come to terms with who she is by entering a beauty contest with a bunch of other misfit girls in her grade. Seriously worth the time.

8. Rules by Cynthia Lord

Catherine’s autistic brother is the hub of their family. Catherine makes all kinds of rules so she can be sensitive to her brother’s needs, even amidst her own frustration at how different her life could be if it were normal. A beautiful examination of sibling love, and how different people can still be connected.

9. The Rest of us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

There’s something to be said about selflessness and The Rest of us just live here is great example of that. Helping others can foster gratitude and return to us tenfold. Epic Reads stated the lesson of this book perfectly:

It also reminded us just how important it is to help others. Everyone is a main character in their own lives, so if you back out a bit, you’re a supporting character in the lives of everyone around you. Helping others will eventually help you. Whether that means literally, or it will just provide you with a well-intentioned respite, we believe that selflessness truly is one of the most important keys to happiness. This book is proof.

10. The Giver by Lois Lowry

My favorite classic dystopian is The Giver, and there are a lot of lessons tucked into its pages. I didn’t realize there was a series until last year. When Jonas unexpectedly becomes the apprentice to the Giver, he soon discovers that he has a purpose. Everyone in his community does, but they aren’t being allowed to do it. This book more than anything pushed that thought: that everyone has a purpose and they should strive for it.

“They were satisfied with their lives which had none of the vibrance his own was taking on. And he was angry at himself, that he could not change that for them.”

In general, Newbery medal winners offer deep insight into history and the world for our children.

Which books have you read with your middle grader or teen that really hit home a lesson for them? Please comment below so I can add books to my reading list.